Donna Mcallister, BACP

Donna Mcallister is a counsellor who uses a straightforward, client-centred style to help people facing midlife questions and other life stresses. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Counselling (HONS) and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, with three years of professional experience. Her manner is calm and down-to-earth, and she aims to create a respectful space for people to talk things through.

Donna helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety and depression that can lead to burnout. She also supports those managing relationship issues, self-esteem struggles, grief and the strain of life changes. Practical coping skills and clearer thinking about next steps are common goals in sessions.

Her work draws on several approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Attachment-Based work. Sessions focus on what matters to the person, noticing thoughts and feelings, and trying out small changes that feel manageable. She uses Client-Centred listening alongside techniques from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy when helpful.

Donna has experience addressing a wide range of concerns beyond mood, such as addiction, ADHD, parenting strains, chronic illness and body image. She also supports people exploring intimacy, sexuality and identity, including LGBT issues and kink-aware conversations.

People who come to Donna can expect a steady, respectful approach and help in deciding practical next steps. The first session usually looks at immediate worries and what the person hopes to change, then they plan how to move forward together.

How therapeutic approaches guide online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for midlife re-evaluation, anxiety and motivation problems. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns, which often helps with depression and anxiety. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns formed in important relationships and how they affect current connections and emotional safety, which can be helpful for relationship issues and intimacy concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk through the options, listen to the person's goals and preferences, and decide collaboratively which methods to try. That may mean mixing elements from different approaches to fit the person's situation.

The original biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so please confirm available options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing appointments during a work break or at home. They can also allow shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed, or help people who prefer not to attend in person. Registered or accredited professionals can guide practical steps for arranging sessions that fit daily routines and goals.